Before Calling an Emergency Plumber

Faced with a plumbing emergency? When something gets blocked or starts to pour water, it doesn’t exactly improve your day. Trying to sort out a fix when you need to get to work or you’ve just got home from your holiday can lead you to stress and panic. An emergency plumber could sort the problem out in no time, but you need to find one first. Before you call the first plumber you can find, there are some things you can do to get the situation under control.

Assess the Situation

Don’t start panicking just yet. If something has gone wrong with your plumbing, it might not be as much of an emergency as you think it is. Take a breath and assess the situation first, then you can decide whether you need to call out a plumber right away. If a tap is dripping, it might be annoying, but it can wait to be repaired. However, if your bathroom is about to be flooded unless you do something quickly, an emergency plumber could come to your rescue.

Turn the Water Off

Is water slowly (or perhaps rapidly) building up somewhere in your home? If a well-placed bucket won’t be enough to tackle the problem, you can’t let it get too bad. When there’s a risk of flooding or water damage, switching off your water supply at the mains will help to prevent it. It’s not difficult to do – you just need to locate the valve (called a stopcock). It’s a good idea if you know where it is before a plumbing emergency occurs, but don’t worry if you don’t. You can usually find it under your kitchen sink, or sometimes by the front or back entrance to your home.

Explore the DIY Approach

It’s not always wise to tackle a plumbing problem yourself, but sometimes a professional isn’t necessary. There are some simple problems you can take care of yourself, particularly if you’ve decided that your emergency isn’t actually much of an emergency at all. For example, you might be able to tackle a blockage with the right tool, with no need to get a plumber involved. Maybe you can also tighten up something that has come loose without too much trouble. However, if it’s not something you can easily fix yourself, it’s best to leave it up to a professional.

Prepare the Area

If you’ve decided an emergency plumber is necessary, you need them to be able to get the job done as soon as possible. Once they arrive, it’s helpful if the area where they need to work is clear. If there’s any furniture in the way or anything cluttering up the space, move it somewhere else so the plumber can work.

Shop Around

If you’re panicking about a plumbing emergency, it’s tempting to use the first plumber you can find who’s available. But you don’t want to end up overspending because you were in a rush. There’s almost always time to shop around a little, especially if you’ve turned the water off. The Zhappy app makes this easy to do, allowing you to set your own price and choose a local emergency plumber who will work for you.

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